# US 2021/0344296 A1 · Method for detecting condensate formation which is imminent or has already taken place on/in electric motors, and method for avoiding corresponding condensate formation and/or for eliminating/reducing condensate on/in electric motors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0344296 A1 - Document ID: US20210344296A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/284,692 - Filed: 2019-09-16 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-11 - Assignees: Ziehl-Abegg SE - Applicants: Ziehl-Abegg SE - Inventors: Raphael Simon OBST; Bjoern WENGER; Matthias Carsten KAMMERER; Xenia GAIDA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210344296A1 ## CPC - H02K 11/25: Devices for sensing temperature, or actuated thereby - H02P 29/032: Preventing damage to the motor, e.g. setting individual current limits for different drive conditions - G01N 25/66: by investigating dew-point - H02K 11/20: for measuring, monitoring, testing, protecting or switching (rectifiers H02K11/04; power electronics H02K11/33) - H02K 11/35: Devices for recording or transmitting machine parameters, e.g. memory chips or radio transmitters for diagnosis - H02P 29/60: Controlling or determining the temperature of the motor or of the drive (H02P29/02 takes precedence) - H02P 29/62: for raising the temperature of the motor - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - H02P: CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A method is used to identify impending or previously occurring condensation on/in electric motors, in particular on/in electric motors as a component of fans or fan groups. It includes the following method steps: Determining component temperatures, preferably surface temperatures on the electronics, on/in the motor, on/in the fan, or on/in fan groups; Determining the dew point temperature or individual dew point temperatures on the electronics, in/on the motor, fan, or on/in fan groups; Comparing the respective component temperature with the respective dew point temperature and concluding a formation of condensation has already taken place or is imminent when the component temperature approaches the dew point temperature or when the dew point temperature is undershot. A further method serves to prevent the formation of condensate and/or to eliminate/remove condensate on/in electric motors, in particular on/in electric motors as a component of fans or fan groups. It includes the following method steps: Detecting an impending and/or previously occurring formation of condensate on or in the motor; and Initiating measures to prevent the formation of condensate and/or to eliminate/remove the condensate by means of passive or active measures. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for detecting impending or previously occurring formation of condensate on or in electric motors that are a component of a fan or fan group, comprising the following steps: determining a component temperatures on or in the motor, fan, or fan group, or an electronic component of the motor; determining a dew point temperature on or in the motor, fan, or fan group, or electronic component; and comparing the respective component temperature with the respective dew point temperature to determine whether or not a formation of condensation has already taken place or is imminent. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the component temperature is determined on the respective component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the component temperature is determined at one or more critical locations. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the component temperature is determined from a calculation model of the motor, the fan, or the fan group. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the dew point temperatures are determined locally at potential condensation locations. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the dew point temperature is measured by means of hygrometric methods. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the dew point temperature is determined from an actual vapor pressure, and the actual vapor pressure is determined from a temperature-dependent local saturation vapor pressure and a local ambient air humidity of the component. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the dew point temperature comprises applying pressure-related calculation rules for a low-pressure/high-pressure application. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the component temperature is measured locally using a temperature sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of transmitting the component temperature from an internal or decentralized measuring unit to an evaluation unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the component temperature is determined indirectly by means of a calculation model. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the ambient air humidity of the component is measured using a moisture sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein a time factor or a calculation model is used to determine the ambient air humidity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method for removing and preventing condensate from forming on electric motors, comprising the following method steps: detecting an impending and/or previously occurring formation of condensate on or in the motor according to the method of claim 1; and initiating measures to remove and prevent the formation of condensate by means of passive or active measures. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the measures include ventilation and aeration by rotating a rotor in the motor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the measures include starting the fan. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the measures include adjusting a motor speed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the measures include heating the motor, a motor component, or external electronics. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of generating a warning message before or upon initiating the measures.